Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is the excessively used material for electromechanical device applications for decades. However, the toxic effects of absorption of metallic lead by the human body can cause lethal poisoning. 1 Consequently, European Union adopted various regulations. 2,3 As a response, in 2004 Saito et al 4 reported (K,Na)NbO 3 (KNN)-based lead-free piezoceramics with properties comparable to those found in PZT. Functional properties of BaTiO 3 (BT)-based ceramics were insufficient compared to PZT-based materials together with low
The origin of nonuniform microstructure and abnormal grain growth (AGG) was investigated in flash sintered 3 mol% yttria‐stabilized zirconia (3YSZ) ceramics. The microstructural homogeneity decreased with increasing direct current (DC) density and with dwell time in a flash state, eventually resulting in AGG in the specimen core, the first observation of AGG in 3YSZ. Abnormal grains up to 100 μm in size emerged when the DC density was ≥160 mA/mm2, and the specimen's density exceeded 99% of theoretical, starting from the cathode and propagating toward the anode. The results are discussed by comparison with established mechanisms and previous experimental evidence concerning AGG in oxides, focusing on the possible effects of the electrochemical reduction at the cathode end of the specimen.
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